Summary: This release delivers high-end modeling, top-notch 3D sculpting and painting, cutting-edge rendering, and an animation toolset on a fast track. It’s a solid choice for independent artists or production studios on Mac and Windows looking for an affordable but comprehensive 3D content creation software.
Target Apps: 3D modeling, 3D sculpting, 3D painting, rendering and animation for feature films, broadcast, game development, education and training, architectural and scientific visualization
What It Costs You: $995 (download); $1,195 (floating license)
What’s Cool: The coolest new features are Fur, Instance Replicator, Presets, new Quad modeling tools, enhanced UI and workflow, improved rendering, and better animation. This release also now supports 64-bit computing on Windows computers.
What’s Missing: Due to a change in Apple’s 64-bit API there is currently no 64-bit version of modo for the Mac. 3D Paint needs a better layering system and there is no non-photorealistic rendering.
Specs (System Requirements)
Win XP / Vista (32- and 64-bit)
2 GB available hard disk space (for full content installation)
2 GB of RAM
OpenGL accelerated graphics card capable of at least 1024x768 resolution
Mouse or pointing device (pressure sensitive tablets supported)
Pentium 4 processor or better
Internet connection required for product activation and to access streaming help videos
Mac® OS X 10.4 or later
Macintosh® G5 or Intel processor 2 GB available hard disk space (for full content installation)
2 GB of RAM OpenGL accelerated graphics card capable of at least 1024x768 resolution
Mouse or pointing device (pressure sensitive tablets supported)
Internet connection required for product activation and to access streaming help videos
The modeling, rendering and animation tools inside modo just got even better—and furrier
Mike de la Flor
August 1, 2009 Source: Studio Monthly
The ongoing development of modo as a major powerhouse took a significant step forward with Luxology’s release of modo 401. While just about every part of modo was tweaked by its developers, this update focuses on advanced rendering features, much improved animation, enhanced workflows, and, as always, better modeling tools.
Modeling
Advanced subdivision surfaces and polygonal modeling have consistently been modo’s strength. However, this release takes modeling to a higher level with improvements to the Pen tool and the addition of new tools. For example, the Pen tool features an improved Quad mode, new Merge mode and options like Wall and Wall thickness—the latter two options are especially nice for faster architectural modeling. New tools include Drag Weld, Smooth and Grow Quads. When used in conjunction with better Background Constraints the new tools make it easy to tackle the tedious job of re-topologizing existing meshes.
The new Instance Replicator, which places instances of a mesh along the surface of another mesh, makes it possible to easily populate a complex scene, such as a forest with trees. The Instance Replicator features different modes and options to orient and distribute instances. Most notably, it produces light instances that result in scenes with hundreds of millions of polygons.
To make modeling faster, modo 401 ships with hundreds of 1D and 2D profile presets that can be used as starting points for creating complex models. The new presets aren’t limited to just profiles, either: modo 401 features a new global preset architecture that focuses on efficient asset reuse. Another nice feature is no-nonsense UV mapping with improved Relax, UV Pack, and transform tools. 3D sculpting and painting haven’t changed much in this release. The modest improvements in these areas are in the form of performance enhancements; for example, the paint tools are now multi-threaded.
Fur
Now for the fun part: the debut of Fur, which not only simulates hair and fur, as one would expect, but also lets various types of fibers sprout from any surface. Now, all kinds of organic shapes and movement are possible, from hairy creatures to fields of grass or tinsel on a Christmas tree. You can use Fur to create everything from hairy or furry creatures to carpeting, felt, moss, grass or cables—just about anything fibrous is possible. Because Fur is material-driven, it’s fairly easy to create and can be controlled via parametric values like length and density, or with UV and weight maps. You can use several hair guides to “comb” hairs or fur, but be warned: It takes some practice to get the hang of these guides. But as you can see, the results are pretty impressive. This example was created by Jacques Defontaine.
Rendering
Rendering improvements in modo 401 appear in the form of several advanced tools, including Volumetric Lighting to simulate light interaction with atmospheric particles; blurry refractions to simulate complex transparent surfaces; a Shadow Catcher for improved composting; and Stereoscopic rendering to create the illusion of depth in stills and animation. One of my favorites, and sure to be a big hit, is the new Clearcoat Channel that simulates the kind of metallic, transparent finishes you see in automotive paints (see lead image at the top of the article, above). Two other new tools worth noting are Tone Mapping, for managing overexposure, and Deep Shadow Maps, for speeding up rendering in heavy scenes. Improvements to existing tools include a faster Preview Renderer, hybrid Global Illumination, better motion blur, and new camera and procedural texture options. Modo’s render engine is engineered to scale linearly, which means it takes advantage of all processors on your desktop system to render faster. All these improvements add up to a rendering system that is not only versatile, fast, and stable but is also just plain fun to use.
Animation
Luxology’s animation tools have been developing gradually since their introduction in modo 301. This release adds important new features like Channel Linking, Channel Modifiers and Constraints. Channel Linking lets the properties of one object drive the properties of another through specific relationships. In turn, these relationships can be controlled via Channel Modifiers or Constraints. There’s also simple 2D Planar Inverse Kinematics to animate jointed objects and Dynamic Parenting, which lets you edit parent-child hierarchies without collapsing them. Together, these and other new animation tools make it possible to orchestrate layers of complex animation. To watch the video of the animation still, below, see Luxology's site here.
But because there are no true character animation tools or dynamics like particles or cloth, animation in modo is restricted to mechanical motions, as in the scene by Wiek Luijken, above. I’m guessing more advanced animation tools are coming in future versions of modo. The rendering and modeling tools in modo 401, however, are divine.
Comments (1) for "Luxology modo 401"
1.
Modo appears to be a new take on 3D content creation. I like the fact that it isn't burdened by an existing structure that loads it down with old code. These guys are clearly into the cutting edge new technology and are working hard to compete in a dense autodesk controlled environment. Bravo. I'm a 3DS Max guy, but I just might give Modo a shot.
Posted by Peter Plantec on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 07:28 PM
